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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar is suspended for two games for homophobic slur

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar has been suspended for two games after calling Atlanta Braves pitcher Jason Motte a ‘fag’ for striking him out this week.

Pillar will not play in tonight’s game against the Baltimore Orioles game and missed yesterday’s game against the Braves.

Pillar will not be paid for either game which amounts to about $6,066 of his $550,000 salary and he will also pay an undisclosed fine.

‘I regret saying it,’ Pillar said after the suspension was announced. ‘I’m going to use myself as an example of how there are words out there you can’t use. It’s not a word I use ever.

‘[I] helped extend the use of a word that has no place in baseball, in sports or anywhere in society today. I’m completely and utterly embarrassed and feel horrible to have put the fans, my teammates and the Blue Jays organization in this position.’

Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins flew to Atlanta to apologize on behalf of the organization and announce the suspension, according to the Associated Press.

‘There is no question that was in the heat of the moment, but that’s no excuse,’ Atkins said.

The Blue Jays had said in a statement on Thursday: ‘In no way is this kind of behavior accepted of tolerated, nor is it a reflection of the type of inclusive organization we strive to be. We would like to extend our own apologies to all fans, Major League Baseball and especially the LGBTQ community.’